Before the regular worship service started, the pastor at our church stepped to the pulpit and said that in light of the events of the past few days, he wanted to lead us in prayer. He then prayed this prayer:
Hear our prayers, O God, for the people of Iran, who last week were killed under the orders of their leader, a man comfortable with cruelty who acted with impunity ... and who this week were killed under the orders of our leader, a man also comfortable with cruelty, and who, although he might not understand the word impunity, clearly wants it.
Hear our prayers for those in Iran who are our enemies, and those in Iran who are not.
Hear our prayers for Iranian Americans and all those in our community who fear the consequences of speaking with a middle eastern accent, when so many sinfully desire a nation united under the banner of one skin color and many lies.
Hear our prayers for those among our Jewish and our Muslim friends, who, like us, inspired by their faith, pray and work for peace.
Hear our prayers for those who serve in our armed forces ... and our prayers for those in lands terrorized by the sounds of what armed forces do – among them Gaza, Israel, and Ukraine. Hear our prayers also for the people of Taiwan.
But don’t just hear our words, O God; guide our feet in paths of justice and peace. May you grant hope in our hearts and strength in our voices, as we seek to speak truth to power and bring justice to the powerless.
This we pray in the name of Christ our savior, who was, who is, and who ever shall be, the Prince of Peace.
Amen
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